FSU notes: Brewster makes his pitch

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Tim Brewster is excited to be at Florida State, and he's not interested in tempering his enthusiasm -- particularly on the recruiting trail.

Just days after taking over as FSU's new tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, Brewster took to Twitter to lay the groundwork with some top targets.

Former Minnesota coach Tim Brewster wasted no time introducing himself to recruits in the state of Florida after joining the Seminoles. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

"All the ballers in Miami just know I'm coming to getcha," Brewster tweeted as part of a flurry of excitement aimed at south Florida recruits.

It might have been an ostentatious opening salvo in the recruiting battles with his in-state rivals, but Brewster is making no apologies. That's how he does business.

"I'm not bashful, and I'm extremely proud of the university I represent," Brewster said. "I just want to make sure that people understand, we're going to take an extremely aggressive approach to getting the best players in the state of Florida to come to Tallahassee. We're going to recruit relentlessly."

It's an infectious enthusiasm, and it's a big part of what caught Jimbo Fisher's attention after former FSU recruiting coordinator -- and south Florida expert -- James Coley departed to join the Miami Hurricanes.

Still, Brewster knows that all his in-person excitement doesn't always translate well to social media. It's just that when he's excited about something, he just can't help himself.

"If you're not using social media, you're missing the boat. It's a tremendous way to reach out, because young people today, that's how they communicate," Brewster said. "I try not to go overboard, but it's hard sometimes, because I enjoy it."

Just for kicks: Fisher said he still is mulling his options in Florida State's return game this season, but thus far the special teams drills during the spring have focused on the kick and punt teams.

A number of Seminoles starters, including Christian Jones, Karlos Williams and Lamarcus Joyner, have been fixtures on the coverage teams, and a few new coverage schemes have been thrown into the mix. Thus far, Fisher has been pleased with the results.

Fisher applauded the work of freshman kicker Roberto Aguayo and sophomore punter Cason Beatty, too, saying Beatty in particular has made nice adjustments to his technique after having two punts blocked last season.

"Sometimes you get long, and he's done a real nice job of making that adjustment and getting the ball off a tenth or two quicker," Fisher said. "The shortness and tightening him up, it's allowed him to be much more consistent and more powerful."

As for the returners, Fisher said that will become a priority starting next week when the special teams focus shifts. Still, Fisher said, two primary options as return men -- Ronald Darby and Marvin Bracy -- won't be available for practices. Darby is out with a groin injury this spring, and Bracy is splitting time between football and track.

Extra points: Fisher said Thursday's practice was the best so far for sophomore defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. "That guy's a powerful son of a gun," Fisher said. "He can be a big force in there." ... Freshman defensive end Demarcus Walker once was again barred from practicing as the NCAA continues to investigate a potential eligibility issue. He worked out with the team in fourth-quarter drills during the offseason but has yet to participate in a spring practice session. ... Florida State's spring game will kick off at 2 p.m. ET on April 13 and be broadcast on ESPN3.